Listen to the full meeting
The Fall River Board of Park Commissioners met on November 4, 2026, and approved multiple community requests, park use permits, and tree removals. Following the approval of the October meeting minutes, the board approved a request from Greater Fall River Recreation for the use of Kennedy Park on December 5 for the 42nd Annual Children’s Christmas Day Parade. The board also granted Jerry Donovan permission to remove five trees along Purchase Street that were causing damage to an abutting asphalt parking lot, with the stipulation that they be replaced with appropriate species whose root systems grow downward.
Additional approvals included a request from the Brick Committee to install commemorative bricks in a new section behind the Iwo Jima monument at Veterans Memorial Park, and a request from Susan Hunt to film at the Lizzie Borden gravesite in Oak Grove Cemetery using a mobile phone during normal cemetery hours. The board also engaged in an extensive discussion initiated by Commissioner John Sylvia regarding municipal tree removal ordinances (City Ordinance 54-146 and 54-152). Sylvia advocated for modernizing city tree replacement standards to an ‘inch-for-inch’ replacement policy with guidance from the city’s contracted arborist before placing the matter on file for future ordinance drafting.
Topics discussed
- 1:08 · Acceptance of October meeting minutes — approved
Acceptance of October meeting minutes - 1:13 · Children’s Christmas Day Parade Park Use
Greater Fall River Recreation’s permit application for Kennedy Park on December 5 for the annual Christmas parade setup and activities. - 1:33 · Approval of Greater Fall River Recreation’s request to use Kennedy Park on December 5 for the 42nd Annual Children’s Christmas Day Parade — approved
Approval of Greater Fall River Recreation’s request to use Kennedy Park on December 5 for the 42nd Annual Children’s Christmas Day Parade - 1:38 · Purchase Street Tree Removal and Root Damage
Assessment of five incorrectly planted streetscape trees on Purchase Street damaging private asphalt, and agreement to replace them with suitable downward-rooting trees. - 3:38 · Approval of Jerry Donovan’s request to remove and replace five trees on Purchase Street — approved
Approval of Jerry Donovan’s request to remove and replace five trees on Purchase Street - 3:51 · Veterans Memorial Park Monument Bricks
Installation of commemorative brick pavers behind the Iwo Jima monument at Veterans Memorial Park. - 4:11 · Approval of the Brick Committee’s request to install bricks behind the Iwo Jima monument at Veterans Memorial Park — approved
Approval of the Brick Committee’s request to install bricks behind the Iwo Jima monument at Veterans Memorial Park - 4:14 · Oak Grove Cemetery Filming Request
Request to film Lizzie Borden’s grave using a cell phone, ensuring compliance with cemetery operating hours. - 5:05 · Approval of Susan Hunt’s request to film at Lizzie Borden’s gravesite in Oak Grove Cemetery between 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM — approved
Approval of Susan Hunt’s request to film at Lizzie Borden’s gravesite in Oak Grove Cemetery between 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM - 5:22 · Motion to place the discussion on City Ordinance 54-153 and tree replacement guidelines on file pending future ordinance drafts — passed
Motion to place the discussion on City Ordinance 54-153 and tree replacement guidelines on file pending future ordinance drafts - 5:25 · Municipal Tree Replacement Policy and Ordinance Update
Board review of outdated tree ordinances referencing defunct commissions and discussion of adopting an arborist-recommended inch-for-inch replacement rule for utility and construction projects.